TUCSON, Ariz. — LSU is No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball newspaper’s 22nd annual ranking of NCAA Division I baseball recruiting classes released Thursday.
While this marks the first time in 22 years that the Tigers have hauled in the nation’s No. 1 ranked class, it is the fourth time that Turtle Thomas, recruiting coordinator for LSU, has overseen the top class in the USA.
In 1988, 1991 and 1993 as recruiting coordinator for Miami, Fla., he also led the Hurricanes to the nation’s No. 1 class.
Thomas’ five classes at LSU have all finished among the Top 6 — the Tigers’ classes were ranked No. 2 in 2000 and 2001, No. 3 in 2002, No. 6 in 2003 and No. 1 this year.
His 2004 LSU class sets an all-time championship record in Collegiate Baseball’s recruiting analysis. The Tigers feature a star-studded group which includes seven freshmen, two junior college transfers and two four-year transfers.
The newcomers joined LSU’s veteran players earlier this week for the start of fall practice in Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers, College World Series participants in each of the last two seasons, are scheduled to open the 2005 season on Feb. 11 by playing host to Nicholls State.
“By keeping four players drafted in the top 19 rounds, we feel like we had a great class,” said Thomas. “Most players drafted in the top 20 rounds sign. So we feel fortunate to have kept these players.
“Eric English should be a fine pitcher for us. He was the 6A Player of The Year in Florida. He only gave up two or three runs all of last season. Chris Cahill is another quality pitcher. He throws hard, and the ball jumps out of his hand.
“Edgar Ramirez is another who could possibly close games out for us. Daniel Forrer is a kid with great stuff. We might not have that first, second or third round draft pick. But top to bottom, this class is very good. Over the last few years when we got our teams to the College World Series, we had pretty good hitting teams. But we needed ace pitchers who could get us over the hump. I think we brought in six quality pitchers this year.”
Thomas tried to downplay the fact that he has orchestrated four No. 1 recruiting classes in his coaching career (three at Miami and one at LSU). “I don’t think it has anything to do with me,” said Thomas.
“It has everything to do with the school you are recruiting for and offer the kids. LSU has led the nation nine years in a row in attendance. We have hosted regionals 15 straight years and have won five national titles since 1991.
“Like everyone else, we always try to get the best players we can and go to many tournaments and showcases in the summer. We have been very fortunate. It also should be pointed out that our entire coaching staff does a good job of working together on recruiting. It is a great team effort.”
Thomas was asked how this class compares to his other top-ranked recruiting efforts.
“It is hard to compare classes from one year to another. It all depends on how they mature and if they can ultimately lead your team to the College World Series and win there.”
The four players that were drafted but elected to attend LSU include:
- 3B/OF J.P. Padron of Clear Creek H.S. (League City, Tex.), 12th round pick of Pirates.
- RHP Chase Dardar, Delgado J.C. (New Orleans, La.), 16th round pick by Dodgers.
- LHP Daniel Forrer, Chipola J.C. (Fla.), 17th round pick by Dodgers.
- UT Kade Keowen, Central H.S. (Baton Rouge, La.), 19th round pick of Royals.
Other top prospects the Tigers signed include:
- LHP Ryan Byrd, Denham Springs H.S. (Denham Springs, La.), Louisville Slugger All-American and All-State.
- RHP Eric English, Cypress Bay H.S. (Weston, Fla.), Florida 6A Player of The Year.
- INF Mike Hollander, Jesuit H.S. (New Orleans, La.), All-State.
- UT Keegan McCamment, Greenburg H.S. (Greenburg, Ind.), All-State.
- OF Trey Simon, Destrehan H.S. (Destrehan, La.), All-State.
- RHP Chris Cahill, Florida Gulf Coast University, a top prospect in the Coastal Plains League.
- RHP Edgar Ramirez, transfer from Florida International University and a top prospect in the Coastal Plains League.
LSU’s recruiting class could have been even stronger as five Tiger signees decided to join professional teams and did not enroll at LSU.
Three of those players were drafted in the second round of the 2004 Free Agent Draft and opted to sign professional contracts — OF Reid Brignac of St. Amant (La.) H.S., pitcher Blake Johnson of Parkview Baptist H.S. in Baton Rouge and pitcher Anthony Swarzak of Nova H.S. in Davie, Fla.
Two others also signed pro contracts in SS Derrick Arnold of Tallahassee (Fla.) C.C. and pitcher Bobby Cassevah of Pace (Fla.) H.S.
The following is the top 40 rankings of NCAA Division I recruiting classes for 2004 as determined by the staff of Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Collegiate Baseball’s 2004 Recruiting Results
Rank Team Recruits Frosh JC Transfers
1. LSU 11 7 2 2
2. Arizona St. 15 12 2 1
3. Texas 11 8 2 1
4. Oklahoma St. 23 4 17 2
5. Tulane 12 9 1 2
6. Arizona 10 8 1 1
7. Miami, Fla. 11 8 2 1
8. Pepperdine 15 12 3 0
9. South Carolina 15 7 8 0
10. Oklahoma 22 11 10 1
11. Stanford 7 7 0 0
12. Clemson 15 8 5 2
13. Rice 22 17 5 0
14. Texas A&M 12 9 1 2
15. Cal. St. Fullerton 11 8 3 0
16. Nebraska 21 15 5 1
17. Fresno St. 19 14 4 1
18. North Carolina 13 13 0 0
19. Vanderbilt 11 10 0 1
20. Southern California 13 11 2 0
21. North Carolina St. 13 9 2 2
22. Florida 12 11 1 0
23. Alabama 16 11 4 1
24. Florida St. 16 11 5 0
24. Tennessee 7 6 1 0
25. Kentucky 21 13 7 1
26. Texas Christian 18 11 4 3
27. Long Beach St. 16 7 7 2
29. East Carolina 8 7 1 0
30. Georgia Tech. 9 9 0 0
31. Mississippi 13 8 5 0
32. Virginia 13 10 2 1
33. Mississippi St. 7 6 1 0
34. Washington 17 15 1 1
35. Arkansas 20 14 4 2
36. Wichita St. 10 9 0 1
37. Notre Dame 6 6 0 0
38. Houston 22 19 3 0
39. Nevada 13 8 3 2
40. Auburn 10 5 3 2
OTHER TOP RECRUITING CLASSES: College of Charleston, Elon, High Point, Georgia, Iowa, Pittsburgh, San Jose St., South Florida, Loyola Marymount, Kent St., Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon St., Santa Clara, Louisiana-Lafayette, Central Michigan, Louisville, St. John’s, Texas Tech, UCLA, California, N.C. Wilmington, Ohio St., Oral Roberts, Illinois, U.C. Riverside, Florida Atlantic, Stetson, Villanova, South Alabama, West Virginia, Central Florida, James Madison, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Northern Illinois, Ohio, U.C. Irvine, N.C. Charlotte, Creighton, N.C. Greensboro, Southern Mississippi, Baylor, Southern, Arkansas-Little Rock.